Cleaning apparatus.



J. L. & H. WALLACE. CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED BBPT.14, 1908.

996,691, PatentedJuly 4,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented July 4, 1911.

3 BHBETS-SHEET 2.

J. L. & H. WALLACE.

CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 190B.

J. L. & H. WALLACE. CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.14, 1908.

996,691, Patented July 4,1911.

3 SHEETS-BHEET 3.

UNITED srA'rns ra'rnn'r orrrcn JAMES L. WALLACE AND HARVEY WALLACE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO PERFECTION VACUUM CLEANER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CLEANING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 191 1.

To all whom it may concern:

Bev itknown that. we, JAMES L. \VALLAGE and I-lanvnr WALL.\GE,C1UZG11S of the'United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cleaning .-'\pparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cleaning apparatus which depends for its cleaning action upon the influence of external atmospheric pressure when a partial vacuum is created within a receptacle to which an inlet tube is connected and to which tube the cleaning nozzle is connected, thus causing the dust and dirt to flow through the inlet tube and into the receptacle, and the invention has for one of its objects to provide an improved machine of this character which will be portable and in which access may be readily had to the various parts.

A further object is to provide an improved casing or housing in which the receptacle for the dirt and other particles is located.

A further object is to provide improved means for supporting the housing or casing and improved means for producing air tight joints between the respective parts.

A further object is to provide an improved filter through which the air is adapted to pass to remove the foreign matter therefrom before being discharged.

A further object is to provide improved means for supporting the dirt receptacle within the casing or housing.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construc tion, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is an elevation of an improved device of this character constructed in ac cordance with the principles of the invention showing the apparatus located within a casing, the casing being in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section show ing the dirt receptacle, the filter, and the housing or casing in which they are located. Fig. 4 is a detail top plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan View of the supporting platform for the housing which holds the dirt. receptacle. Fig. (3 is a detail sectional view of the closure for the casing, showing the inlet and outlet ports thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and in the present exemplification of the invention the numeral designates generally a casing within which the apparatus is located. This casing is preferably mounted upon supporting Wheels 11, 12, and is provided with a handle 13 by means of Which the apparatus may be transported. This casing is provided with a suitable munber of closures 14 which are adapted to be opened to permitaccess to be readily had to any other parts of the apparatus. \Vithin this casing are located spaced uprights 15,16, which are secured preferably adjacent one end of the casing and are of any desired height. Secured to the upper end and between the uprights 15, 16, is a closure 17, which may be of any desired configuration but in the exemplification of the invention herein shown it is circular and is provided With spaced depending peripheral flanges 18, 19.

The closure maybe of any desired diameter according to the diameter of the receptacle upon the upper edge of which the closure is adapted to rest so that the edge of the receptacle will extend or stand between the spaced flanges 18 and 19, and a suitable gasket or packing 21 may be provided within the space between the flanges and between the closure and the edge of the receptacle forming a fluid tight joint. The receptacle or casing 20 is adapted to rest on a suitable support or platform 22 to which latter is connected one extremity of a pair of links 23, one of which is located on each side of the receptacle preferably adjacent the respective uprights 15, 16, by means of yokes 24. One end of each of the links preferably projects beyondthe respective yoke 24, as at 25, and is provided with a slot 26 in the free extremity thereof and said extremity is adapted to move adjacent a member 27 which preferably extends across the space between the respective pairs of uprights 15, 16, adjacent the base thereof, and a suitable fastening device 28, preferably in the form of a bolt, projects through the respective slots 26 in the extremities of the links 23 and the members 27, and

serve as guides for the links and forholding the .links aga'in'st displacement. The

links 23 preferably project beyond the top- .standards 32, which latter are themselves supported by the closure '17. A suitable opera-ting h'andle33 may be secured to the shaft 29 for' rocking the eccentrics 30 in their bearings 31 to raise and lower the platform or support 22 and thereby'cause the:

. upper extremity of the receptacle o r casing to be moved toward or away from the closure 17 to lockthe receptacle or casing 20 or to release the receptacle to permit the receptacle to be removed from its support.

The closure 17 is provided with an inlet opening 34 with which a pipe 35 has connection. This pipe 35 preferably projects beyond one edge of the casing 10, and connected to the projecting extremity thereof by means of a suitable coupling 36 is a-flexible tubular member 37 which may be of any desired size and length and to the free extremity of which is connected the cleaning nozzle, which latter may be of any ordinary and well known construction, the flexible member 37 permitting the nozzle to be moved in' any desired position in the hands of the operator.

The inlet opening 35 inthe closure 17 preferably discharges into the casing or receptacle 20 at substantially thediametric center thereof and the extremity of this opening 34 is preferably provided with an,

inwardly projecting flange 38 to form a suitable seat for a gasket or packing 39.

Arranged within the casing or receptacle 20 is a filter which extends transversely across the casing to form a partition filling the adjacent portion of the casing. The body portion of the filter may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably metal, and this body portion 40'is preferably conical and is provided with a plurality of apertures or openings 41. Projecting through the apex of the conical member 40 is a tubular member 42, one extremity of which beyond the member 40 is preferably provided with a circumferential flange 43 and this flange is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the seat upon which the packing 39 rests. The other extremity of the tubular member 42 projects for any desired distance beyond the member 40 and is provided with exterior screw threads and surrounding the threaded portion thereof are spaced collars 44, 45, which are provided with interior threads adapted to engage the exterior threads on the member 42 so that the collars may be adjusted with respect to each other and longitudinally with respect to the member 42. A suitable reticulatedi material '46, such as wire gauze or the like, surrounds the tubular member 42 and is ada ted tobe clamped inposition by -means of t e; collars 44, 45,'arranged on opposite sides of the materia1.'"This reticulated material extends across the base of the conical. member 40 and a'suit-able piece of fabric 47, such as felt or the like, is also ar ranged between the collars 44,45, and extends across the base of the conical member .40 over the reticulated material 46 and over the periphery of the conical member and by means of which'latter the fabric maybe held in position.

Arranged within the receptacle or "casing 20 and at a suitable. distance from the upper edge thereof, is a circumferential flange or i shoulder 48 uponwhich the filter is adapted Y to rest and if desired, a suitable packing or gasket 49 may be disposed between the flange or shoulder 48 and the periphery of the filter for securinga fluid tight joint.

' The free extremity of the tubular member 42 preferably projects for some distance beyond the filter and a pair of collars 50, 51,-

similar to the collars 44, 45, are adjustably secured to the free extremity. .5 Arranged between these collars 51 is a supporting mem- -ber 52, preferably-in the form of a disk having a grooved periphery 53. vThis member 52 is adapted to form a closure for a suit-.

able dust receptacle 54 which may be constructed of' any desired material through which the air will pass, such as fabric or the like. This receptacle is secured to the member 52 preferably by means of a flexiblemember 55 which surrounds the memberv52 and the upper edge of the receptacle 54 and is 'adapted to press the latter into the groove 53.- The receptacle 54 may be a double receptacle, if desired, and as showmandis of ternal diameter of the receptacle or casing 20.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the casing or receptacle 20 will be looked upon its support, that is, the gaskets 21-, 39 and 49 will be under compression caused by raising the receptacle 20 through the medium of the links 15, 16, platform 22, eccentrics 30, and bearings 31. When the receptacle is raised in the manner just described, the flange or shoulder 48 will force the gasket 49 against the periphery of the body portion of the filter 40 which in turn will force the flange 43 against the gasket 39 to compress these gaskets and the edge of the receptacle will com-- press the gasket 21 between the flanges 18 and 19.

When the handle 33 on the shaft 29 is shifted to permit the shaft 29 to be lowered by the rotation of the eccentric 30 within its bearings 31, the platform 22 will be lowered, together With the receptacle or casing 20, which Will remove the strain from the gaskets and will permit the casing or receptacle 20 to be readily removed from its support.

The closure 17 is provided with a plurality of outlet openings 56 to which the respective extremities of the branches 57 of an outlet pipe 58 are connected. The outlets 56 preferably open through the top of the closure and the free extremity of the pipe 58 has connection with the casing 59 of the exhauster, which is mounted upon a suitable support 60 within the casing 10.

The exhauster is adapted to receive its motion from a suitable motor 61 Within the casing 10, which motor is connected to the shaft 62 of the exhauster by means of a suitable gearing, which in the present exemplification of the invention is shown as a chain and sprocket gearing. A suitable fan 64 may be mounted upon the motor shaft 65 for cooling the motor.

An outlet pipe 66 may be connected to the casing 59 of the exhauster and this pipe 66 may discharge into a suitable receptacle 67 which latter is adapted to receive any oil which'is carried with the air from the easing 59.

In operation the nozzle is directed by the operator against the article to be cleaned and the action of the exhauster will draw the air from the casing or receptacle 20 to create a partial vacuum therein, which action will cause the dust and dirt to be drawn into the pipe 35 through the flexible tube 37 and from the pipe 35 will pass into the inlet opening 34 in the closure and be discharged out of said opening and through the tubular member 42 into the receptacle 54, the air passing through the receptacle 54 and into the casing or receptacle 20 while the dust and dirt remain within the receptacle 54. The air in the receptacle or casing 20 will pass through the fabric 47 and reticulated material 46 and through the apertures or openings 41 in the body portion of the filter and from there will pass through the outlet openings 56 into the respective branches 57 of the pipe 58 and 'into the motor casing 59 from which it will be discharged through the pipe 66.

When the receptacle 54 is filled with dust and dirt, it may be removed from the casing by first lowering the casing in the manner described by shifting the eccentrics 30, after which the receptacle or casing 20 may be removed from the support 22, which latter is preferablyprovided with a circumferential flange 68 having an open side 69 and through which open side the receptacle may be removed. After the receptacle has been removed from its support and also from the casing 10, the filter which also serves as a support for the receptacle 54 may be re moved and the receptacle 54 detached from the member 52 by removing the flexible member 55. A new bag or receptacle 54 may then. be secured in position and replaced with the filter into the casing or receptacle 20 and the latter may be placed upon its support 22 and when properly positioned, the eccentrics 30 may be again shifted by the handle to secure the parts in position for further operation of the machine. With this improved construction it will be apparent that the member 52 may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the tubular member 42 toaccommodate bags or receptacles 54 of varying sizes.

The closure 17 may be provided with spaced ears 70 extending from the periphcry thereof and on diametrically opposite sides between. the respective uprights 15, 16, and between which the links 23 are adapted to move, and these ears or projections serve as guides for the links to hold the latter against displacement.

The receptacle 54 is preferably provided with an open bottom which may be closed by a suitable flexible member 45 so that when it is desired to empty the receptacle 1t may be accomplished by unfastening the flexible member to permit the contents of the receptacle to be discharged through the bottom thereof without detaching the receptacle from the member 52.

In order that the invention might be fully understood the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, but

What we claim is- 1. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a casing, a removable dirt receptacle within the casing and permeable to air, said casing being provided with an inlet, a closure for the receptacle and through which the inlet discharges to convey the dirt into the receptacle, a filter within the casing independent of the receptacle, said filter forming a removable partition extending transversely across the casing and filling the adjacent portion of the casing, means for supporting the dirt receptacle from the filter whereby the receptacle may be removed with the. filter and an exhauster for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall thereof into the casing and from the casing through the filter.

2. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a casing, a removable dirt receptacle within the casing and permeable to air, said casing being provided With an inlet, a closure for the receptacle and through which the inlet discharges to convey the dirt into the receptacle, afilter within the casing independent of the receptacle, said filter formlng a removable partition extending transversely across the casing and filling the adthe filter whereby the receptacle may be removed with the filter and an exhauster for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall thereof into the casing and from the casing through the filter, the said filter bein disposed between the receptacle and the in ct to the casing.

' 3. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a receptacle for receiving and containing the dirt said receptacle being permeable to air, a casing inclosing the receptacle, said casing having an inlet opening, a filtervwithin the casing outside of'and independent of the receptacle, said filter forming a partition extending transversely across the casing and filling the adjacent portion of the casing, a tubular member extending through the filter, one end of the tubular member discharging into the receptacle means for supporting the other'end of the tubular member adjacent the inlet opening, means for securing the parts in position, and means for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall thereof intothe casing and from the casing through the filter, whereby the dirt will flow directly into the said receptacle through the inlet and tubular member.

' 4. In a cleaning apparatus,,t-he combina tion of a dirt receptacle permeable to air, a casing inclosing the receptacle, said casing having an inlet opening, a filter within the casing, extending across the casing and formlng a partition filling the adjacent por' tion of the casing a tubular member extending through the filter, one end of the tubular member discharging into the receptacle, means for supporting the other end of the tubular member adjacent the inlet opening, gaskets disposed between the adjacent portions of cooperating parts, means for sin1ultaneously forcing the parts together to compress the respective gaskets to form fluid tight joints, and means for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall casing inclosing the receptacle, said casing through the filter whereby the dirt will flow directly into the said receptacle through the inlet and tubular member to be confined therein.

5. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a dirt receptacle permeable to air, a

casing inclosing the receptacle, said casing filter, said filter forming a partition extending across and filling the adjacent portion of the casing a tubular member supported by and extending through the filter, one exdischarging .into the said receptacle and serving to support said receptac e, packing disposed between the filter. and its support and the adjacent extremities of the 'tube and the inlet opening, and means ,for shift ing said member and forming a partitionextendin across the casing outside of the receptac e and'filling the adjacent portion of the casing, said filter serving to support the tubular member, a support for the filter, means for shifting the support for forcing the cooperative parts into engagement, and

means for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall thereof into the casing and from the casing through the filter to cause-the dirt to flow into the receptacle through the said tubular member.

7. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a casing a removable *dirt receptacle permeable to air located within the casing, said casing being provided with an inlet opening, a removable tubular member within the casing and forming a continuation of the inlet, a removable filter within the casing forming 'a partition extending transversely across and filling the adjacent portion of the casing and through which the tubular member projects, said filter serving as a support for the tubular member, and a member supported by the said tubular member beyond the filter and through which the tubula; member discharges, said member serving as a closure for the said receptacle.

8. In a cleaning a-pparatus, the combination of a dirt receptacle permeable to air, a casing inclosing the receptacle and with which the receptacle has communication, said casing being provided with an inlet opening, a tubular member within the casing and forming a continuation of the inlet, a removable filter within the casing forming a partition extending transversely across and filling the adjacent portion of the casing and through which the tubular member projects, said filter serving as a support for the tubular member, a member supported by the said tubular member beyond the filter and through which the tubular member discharges, said member serving as a closure and a support for the said receptacle, and removable from the casing with the filter and tubular member and means whereby the said closure member may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the said tubular member.-

9. In a cleaning apparatus, the combinaing the said casing for compressing the said tion of a dirt receptacle permeable to air, a closure for the receptacle, a casing inclosing the receptacle and closure, said casing being provided with an inlet opening, a removable tubular member secured to and communicating with the receptacle through the said closure, a support for the tubular member for holding the free end thereof adjacent the extremity of the inlet opening and removable with the tubular member, said support including a filter surrounding the tubular member, extending transversely across the casing and forming a partition filling the adjacent portion of the casing, means for shifting the said support to force the extremity of the tubular member against a portion of the casing surrounding the inlet opening, and means for exhausting the air from the receptacle through the wall into the casing and from the casing through the filter, to cause the dirt to flow into the receptacle through the said inlet and the tubular member.

10. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of a dirt receptacle permeable to air, a closure member, means for securing said member to the mouth of the receptacle, a removable tubular member for supporting the closure member and through which the tubular member discharges into the receptacle, a casing inclosing said parts, said casing being provided with an inlet opening, means for supporting one end of the tubular mem ber adjacent the inlet opening, a support for said tubular member and removable with said member, said support comprising a filter surrounding the member extending transversely across the casing to form a partition and filling the adjacent portion of the casing, and said casing being provided with ashoulder upon which the filter rests. means for bodily adjusting the casing to forcibly seat the extremity of the tubular member adjacent the inlet, by forcing the said sup port into engagement with the filter, the last said means including means for locking the casing in its adjusted position, and means for exhausting the air from the receptacle into the casing and from the casing through the filter to cause the dirt to flow into the said receptacle through the inlet and tubular member.-

11. A cleaning apparatus, including a fixed closure member, supports for said member, acasing with which the closure cooperates, a support movable toward and away from the closure and upon which the casing is adapted to rest, said closure being provided with a groove into which the edge of the open end of the casing is adapted to be seated, a packing Within the groove, a shaft journaled upon the closure, eccentric bearings for the shaft, links suspended from the shaft and connected to the support whereby the rotation of the shaft will adjust the support and casing to force the edge of the easing into and out of the groove in the closure, there being inlet and outlet openings for the casing, both of said openings passing through the said closure, means for exhausting the air from the casing through the outlet to cause the dirt to flow into the casing through the inlet, and means within the casing for separating the particles of dirt from the air.

12. A cleaning apparatus, including a fixed closure member, supports for said member, a casing with which the closure 00- operates, a support movable toward and away from the closure and upon which the casing is adapted to rest, said closure being provided with a groove into which the edge of the open end of the casing is adapted to be seated, a packing within the groove, a shaft journaled upon the closure, eccentric bearings for the shaft, links suspended from the shaft and connected to the support whereby the rotation of the shaft will adjust the support and casing to force the edge of the easing into and out of the groove in the closure, there being inlet and outlet openings for the casing, both of said openings passing through the said closure, means for exhausting the air from the casing through the outlet to cause the dirt to flow into the casing through the inlet, and means within the casing for separating the particles of dirt from the air, said means comprising a receptacle for the dirt and a filter.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 10th day of September A. D. 1908.

JAMES L. \VALLACE. HARVEY WALLACE. Witnesses:

J. H. JooHUM, J12, CHARLES H. SEEM. 

